Strategic Research Cluster Initiative - Faculty of Science

This role is based in Sydney, Australia, offering a continuing academic appointment with flexible working arrangements and support for carers.

About the Faculty

The Faculty of Science at UNSW is one of Australia's leading scientific research and teaching communities. As part of its 10-Year Strategy and UNSW's Progress for All strategy, the Faculty is investing in interdisciplinary research excellence through the establishment of Strategic Research Clusters. This initiative aims to strengthen collaborative research capability, build critical mass in strategic areas, and develop scientific leadership to address priority Societal Challenges.

About the Roles

• Approximately 10 full-time (35 hours per week) continuing academic positions at Lecturer (Level B) or Senior Lecturer (Level C).
• Academic appointment includes 17% superannuation and annual leave loading.
• Successful candidates will join one of three Faculty Strategic Research Clusters while being academically based within a host School aligned with their disciplinary expertise.

This model combines disciplinary strengths with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, research program development, and research-led education.

Strategic Research Clusters

Candidates will align with one of the following clusters:

Digital-led Discovery and Design of New Materials

Researchers will combine computational, theoretical, and experimental approaches to design next-generation functional materials. This cluster brings together expertise across the Schools of Materials Science & Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Statistics, and Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences.

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning for materials discovery
• Computational and multiscale materials modelling
• Biomaterials, bio-inspired materials, and their underlying physics
• Tissue engineering and regenerative materials
• Functional and structural materials
• Soft matter and active matter
• High-throughput experimentation and screening
• Chemical and physical approaches to materials design
• Engineering biology and synthetic biology platforms for materials innovation

Environmental Resilience: Prediction, Protection and Restoration

Researchers will advance environmental resilience through improved sensing, prediction, and restoration. This cluster connects expertise across the Schools of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, and Aviation.

• Environmental sensing, imaging, and remote sensing technologies
• Environmental and non-human genomics, microbiomes, and One Health
• Climate modelling and prediction
• Artificial intelligence for environmental science
• Carbon modelling and net-zero solutions
• Biodiversity and ecosystem resilience
• Habitat restoration and environmental remediation
• Environmental biotechnology and bioremediation
• Environmental policy, decision support, and climate risk
• Hybrid AI and physics-based environmental and climate modelling

Discovery for Human Health

Researchers will advance human health through interdisciplinary approaches spanning molecules, cells, tissues, physiology, and behaviour. This cluster brings together expertise across the Schools of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, and Mathematics & Statistics.

• Neuroscience and computational neuroscience
• Human disease and tissue modelling
• Biophysics for human health
• Advanced imaging and image analysis
• Systems biology, quantitative biology, and bioinformatics
• Functional genomics and perturbation biology
• Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
• Precision medicine and translational therapeutics
• Artificial intelligence for health and biomedical discovery

Responsibilities

Lecturer (Level B)

• Undertake high-quality research aligned with a nominated Strategic Research Cluster and contribute actively to interdisciplinary collaboration within the Cluster.
• Develop an internationally recognised research profile through high-quality publications and competitive research funding.
• Develop research collaborations nationally and internationally, including with external partners such as industry and government.
• Deliver high-quality teaching and contribute to curriculum development across undergraduate, postgraduate, and/or lifelong learning programs.
• Supervise Honours, Masters, and Higher Degree Research students, commensurate with experience.
• Contribute positively to the academic life of the School, Faculty, University, and Strategic Research Cluster through collegial service and administrative activities.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful academic environment consistent with the University's Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the University.

Senior Lecturer (Level C) – in addition to the above

• Provide academic leadership within the Strategic Research Cluster and contribute to the development of interdisciplinary research initiatives.
• Build on and maintain a nationally recognised research profile supported by sustained competitive research funding.
• Demonstrate leadership in teaching through curriculum innovation, student supervision, and mentoring of colleagues.
• Develop strategic partnerships with industry, government, and the broader research community to enhance research impact and translation.
• Contribute to the leadership and strategic development of the School, Faculty, and Strategic Research Cluster.

Requirements

Lecturer (Level B)

• A PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Demonstrated research excellence in an area aligned with one of the Faculty's Strategic Research Clusters.
• Demonstrated ability and enthusiasm to contribute to interdisciplinary research and to actively participate in the development of a Faculty Strategic Research Cluster.
• Evidence of high-quality research outputs and the potential to develop an internationally recognised research profile.
• Demonstrated ability, or clear potential, to attract competitive research funding.
• Evidence of effective teaching and a commitment to delivering an outstanding student experience.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines and build productive research partnerships.
• Experience in supervising, or the capacity to supervise, Higher Degree Research students.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organisational skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to fostering a respectful and collaborative academic environment.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Senior Lecturer (Level C) – in addition to the above

• Demonstrated national recognition and an established research profile in a relevant discipline.
• Sustained success in securing competitive research funding.
• Evidence of academic leadership in research, teaching, and supervision.
• Demonstrated success in curriculum development and innovation.
• Experience developing strategic collaborations with industry, government, or other external partners.

Benefits

• Membership of a Faculty-wide Strategic Research Cluster.
• Opportunities to build interdisciplinary collaborations across Schools and disciplines.
• Research development, mentoring, and career support.
• Access to competitive internal funding opportunities.
• A vibrant and inclusive research environment.
• Flexible working arrangements and support for carers.
• 17% superannuation and annual leave loading.

UNSW is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.